Device for apparatus for heating smokable material

ABSTRACT

Described herein is a cartridge for use with apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The cartridge comprises a housing defining a chamber, smokable material located in the chamber, and a mass of thermal insulation material located between the smokable material and the housing. Also disclosed is apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The apparatus comprises an assembly having an interface, and the cartridge, wherein the cartridge is for co-operating with the interface of the assembly.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a National Phase entry of PCT Application No.PCT/EP2015/080589, filed Dec. 18, 2015, which claims priority from GBPatent Application No. 1423314.2, filed Dec. 29, 2014, each of which ishereby fully incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a device for use with apparatus forheating smokable material, to a cartridge comprising the device, and toapparatus for heating smokable material.

BACKGROUND

Smoking articles such as cigarettes, cigars and the like burn tobaccoduring use to create tobacco smoke. Attempts have been made to providealternatives to these articles by creating products that releasecompounds without combusting. Examples of such products are so-called“heat not burn” products or tobacco heating devices or products, whichrelease compounds by heating, but not burning, material. The materialmay be, for example, tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may ormay not contain nicotine.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provideda device for use with apparatus for heating smokable material tovolatilize at least one component of the smokable material, the devicecomprising: a support; and smokable material arranged on the support,wherein a first portion of the smokable material is arranged on a firstportion of the support and has a form so as to be heatable more quicklythan a second portion of the smokable material arranged on a secondportion of the support.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first portion of the smokable materialcomprises particles of the smokable material having a first meanparticle size, and the second portion of the smokable material comprisesparticles of the smokable material having a second mean particle sizethat is greater than the first mean particle size.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first portion of the smokable materialis arranged on the support with a first thickness and the second portionof the smokable material is arranged on the support with a secondthickness that is greater than the first thickness.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first and second portions of the supportare first and second portions of one side of the support. In anexemplary embodiment, the smokable material is arranged on the side ofthe support with a thickness that tapers from the first portion of thesmokable material to the second portion of the smokable material. In anexemplary embodiment, the smokable material is arranged on the side ofthe support with a thickness that tapers linearly from the first portionof the smokable material to the second portion of the smokable material.In an exemplary embodiment, the smokable material is arranged on theside of the support with a thickness that increases in a stepwise mannerfrom the first portion of the smokable material to the second portion ofthe smokable material.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first and second portions of the supportare first and second sides of the support, respectively.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first and second portions of thesmokable material are at respective opposite ends of the smokablematerial.

In an exemplary embodiment, the smokable material is bonded to thesupport. In an exemplary embodiment, the smokable material is bonded byan adhesive to the support.

In an exemplary embodiment, the support is planar.

In an exemplary embodiment, the support is non-planar. In an exemplaryembodiment, the support is corrugated or folded.

In an exemplary embodiment, the support is a heating element for heatingthe smokable material. In an exemplary embodiment, the heating elementis heatable by passing an electric current through the heating element.

In an exemplary embodiment, the smokable material comprises tobacco.

In an exemplary embodiment, the smokable material is in solid form.

In an exemplary embodiment, the smokable material comprises particles ofthe smokable material.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there isprovided a device for use with apparatus for heating smokable materialto volatilize at least one component of the smokable material, thedevice comprising: a support; and smokable material arranged on thesupport, wherein a first portion of the smokable material is arranged ona first portion of the support with a first thickness and a secondportion of the smokable material is arranged on a second portion of thesupport with a second thickness, and wherein the second thickness isgreater than the first thickness.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first and second portions of the supportare first and second portions of one side of the support. In anexemplary embodiment, the smokable material is arranged on the side ofthe support with a thickness that tapers from the first portion of thesmokable material to the second portion of the smokable material. In anexemplary embodiment, the smokable material is arranged on the side ofthe support with a thickness that tapers linearly from the first portionof the smokable material to the second portion of the smokable material.In an exemplary embodiment, the smokable material is arranged on theside of the support with a thickness that increases in a stepwise mannerfrom the first portion of the smokable material to the second portion ofthe smokable material.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first and second portions of the supportare first and second sides of the support, respectively.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first and second portions of thesmokable material are at respective opposite ends of the smokablematerial.

In an exemplary embodiment, the smokable material is bonded to thesupport. In an exemplary embodiment, the smokable material is bonded byan adhesive to the support.

In an exemplary embodiment, the support is planar.

In an exemplary embodiment, the support is non-planar. In an exemplaryembodiment, the support is corrugated or folded.

In an exemplary embodiment, the support is a heating element for heatingthe smokable material. In an exemplary embodiment, the heating elementis heatable by passing an electric current through the heating element.

In an exemplary embodiment, the smokable material comprises tobacco.

In an exemplary embodiment, the smokable material is in solid form.

In an exemplary embodiment, the smokable material comprises particles ofthe smokable material.

According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provideda device for use with apparatus for heating smokable material tovolatilize at least one component of the smokable material, the devicecomprising: a support; and smokable material arranged on the support,wherein a first portion of the smokable material is arranged on a firstportion of the support and comprises particles of the smokable materialhaving a first mean particle size, and a second portion of the smokablematerial is arranged on a second portion of the support and comprisesparticles of the smokable material having a second mean particle size,and wherein the second mean particle size is greater than the first meanparticle size.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first and second portions of the supportare first and second portions of one side of the support. In anexemplary embodiment, the smokable material is arranged on the side ofthe support with a thickness that tapers from the first portion of thesmokable material to the second portion of the smokable material. In anexemplary embodiment, the smokable material is arranged on the side ofthe support with a thickness that tapers linearly from the first portionof the smokable material to the second portion of the smokable material.In an exemplary embodiment, the smokable material is arranged on theside of the support with a thickness that increases in a stepwise mannerfrom the first portion of the smokable material to the second portion ofthe smokable material. In an exemplary embodiment, the first and secondportions of the support are first and second sides of the support,respectively.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first and second portions of thesmokable material are at respective opposite ends of the smokablematerial.

In an exemplary embodiment, the smokable material is bonded to thesupport. In an exemplary embodiment, the smokable material is bonded byan adhesive to the support.

In an exemplary embodiment, the support is planar.

In an exemplary embodiment, the support is non-planar. In an exemplaryembodiment, the support is corrugated or folded.

In an exemplary embodiment, the support is a heating element for heatingthe smokable material. In an exemplary embodiment, the heating elementis heatable by passing an electric current through the heating element.

In an exemplary embodiment, the smokable material comprises tobacco.

In an exemplary embodiment, the smokable material is in solid form.

In an exemplary embodiment, the smokable material comprises particles ofthe smokable material.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provideda cartridge for use with apparatus for heating smokable material tovolatilize at least one component of the smokable material, thecartridge comprising a device according to any one of the first, secondand third aspects of the present disclosure.

In an exemplary embodiment, the cartridge comprises a housing defining achamber, wherein the device is located within the chamber.

In an exemplary embodiment, the cartridge comprises twoelectrically-conductive terminals that are accessible from an exteriorof the cartridge, wherein the support is a heating element for heatingthe smokable material, and the heating element is electrically connectedacross the electrically-conductive terminals.

According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, there is providedapparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least onecomponent of the smokable material, the apparatus comprising a deviceaccording to any one of the first, second and third aspects of thepresent disclosure; or comprising a cartridge according to the fourthaspect of the present disclosure and an assembly, wherein the assemblyhas an interface and the cartridge is for co-operating with theinterface of the assembly.

In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus is arranged to heat thesmokable material to volatilize the at least one component of thesmokable material without combusting the smokable material.

In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus comprises a heating elementfor heating the smokable material, and the assembly comprises acontroller for controlling the supply of electrical power to the heatingelement from an electrical power source.

In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus comprises a heating elementfor heating the smokable material, and the assembly comprises acontroller arranged to control heating of the heating element so as tocause heating of the smokable material to volatilize the at least onecomponent of the smokable material without combusting the smokablematerial when the cartridge is co-operating with the interface of theassembly.

In an exemplary embodiment, the heating element of the apparatus is thesupport.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of exampleonly, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an example of an apparatus forheating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of thesmokable material.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG.1.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a mouthpiece of the apparatus of FIG.1 when detached from the rest of the apparatus.

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the mouthpiece of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a first casing portion of theapparatus of FIG. 1 when detached from the rest of the apparatus.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the first casingportion of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a second casing portion of theapparatus of FIG. 1 when detached from the rest of the apparatus.

FIG. 8 shows another schematic perspective view of the second casingportion of FIG. 7 with a shell of the second casing portion that definesa compartment of the second casing portion removed.

FIG. 9 shows a schematic perspective cross-sectional view of a portionof the second casing portion of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of, in isolation, a portion of a secondelectrical conductor of the second casing portion of FIGS. 8 and 9around a resilient member.

FIG. 11 shows a schematic perspective cross-sectional view of a portionof the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 12 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of theapparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 13 shows a schematic perspective view of a portion of the apparatusof FIGS. 1 and 2 with portions thereof removed to expose second andthird pins thereof.

FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of, in isolation, a cartridge of theapparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 15 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the cartridge of FIG.14.

FIG. 16 shows another schematic perspective cross-sectional view of aportion of the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2 with an overall flow paththerethrough indicated.

FIG. 17 shows a schematic close-up cross-sectional view of a portion ofa heating device of the cartridge of FIG. 15.

FIG. 18 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a cartridge.

FIG. 19 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a cartridge.

FIG. 20 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a cartridge.

FIG. 21 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a cartridge.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used herein, the term “smokable material” includes materials thatprovide volatilize components upon heating, typically in the form of anaerosol. “Smokable material” may be a non-tobacco-containing material ora tobacco-containing material. “Smokable material” may, for example,include one or more of tobacco per se, tobacco derivatives, expandedtobacco, reconstituted tobacco, tobacco extract, homogenized tobacco ortobacco substitutes. The smokable material can be in the form of groundtobacco, cut rag tobacco, extruded tobacco, gel or agglomerates.“Smokable material” also may include other, non-tobacco, products,which, depending on the product, may or may not contain nicotine.

As used herein, “polysaccharides” encompasses polymeric carbohydratemolecules composed of long chains of monosaccharide units bound togetherby glycosidic linkages, and salts and derivatives of such compounds.Suitably, derivatives of such compounds may have ester, ether, acid,amine, amide, urea, thiol, thioether, thioester, thiocarboxylic acid orthioamide side groups on the monosaccharide units. Examplepolysaccharides include cellulose and cellulose derivatives and alginicacid and salts thereof. In some embodiments, the polysaccharide mayadhere the smokable material to the heating element. In otherembodiments, the adhesive may comprise the polysaccharide as an adhesionpromoter.

As used herein, “cellulose derivatives” are compounds in which thehydroxyl groups of cellulose are partially or fully substituted byvarious groups. Example cellulose derivatives are cellulose esters andethers. In some embodiments, the cellulose derivative may comprise acellulose ether, which may include alkyl, hydroxyalkyl and carboxyalkylcellulose ethers. In some embodiments, the cellulose derivative may be ahydroxyalkyl cellulose ether, such as hydroxyethyl cellulose,hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl methylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose and hydroxyethyl ethylcellulose. The cellulosederivative may be selected from hydroxyethyl methylcellulose,hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and hydroxyethyl ethylcellulose in somecases. The cellulose derivative may comprise or substantially consist ofhydroxypropyl methylcellulose.

As used herein, “polyimide” refers to any polymer comprising orsubstantially formed of imide monomers and may be saturated orunsaturated. The polyimide may be hydrophobic.

As used herein, “polyester” refers to polymers which contain the esterfunctional group in their main chain. They may be formed by theesterification condensation of polyfunctional alcohols and acids. Insome cases, the ester functional group is present about half or therepeating units, or in the majority of or substantially all of therepeating units. Polyesters may be saturated or unsaturated, aliphatic,semi-aromatic or aromatic, and may be copolymers or homopolymers. Thepolyester may be hydrophobic.

As used herein, the terms “flavor” and “flavorant” refer to materialswhich, where local regulations permit, may be used to create a desiredtaste or aroma in a product for adult consumers. They may includeextracts (e.g., licorice, hydrangea, Japanese white bark magnolia leaf,chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed, cinnamon,herb, wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, apple, Drambuie, bourbon,scotch, whiskey, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, cardamom, celery,cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey essence, roseoil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine,ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, piment, ginger, anise, coriander, coffee, ora mint oil from any species of the genus Mentha), flavor enhancers,bitterness receptor site blockers, sensorial receptor site activators orstimulators, sugars and/or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose,acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharine, cyclamates, lactose,sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), and other additivessuch as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or breathfreshening agents. They may be imitation, synthetic or naturalingredients or blends thereof. They may be in any suitable form, forexample, oil, liquid, or powder.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a perspective view and aschematic cross-sectional view of an example of an apparatus 1 forheating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of thesmokable material. The apparatus 1 is arranged to heat smokable materialto volatilize at least one component of the smokable material, typicallyto form an aerosol which can be inhaled, without combusting, or burning,the smokable material. The apparatus 1 comprises a first casing portion10, a second casing portion 20, a mouthpiece 30 and a cartridge 40. Thecombination of the first and second casing portions 10, 20 constitutes acasing of the apparatus 1. The combination of the first and secondcasing portions 10, 20 and the mouthpiece 30 constitutes an assemblyhaving an interface (discussed below) with which the cartridge 40 isable to co-operate. Each of these components will be discussed in turn.

The first casing portion 10 is located between the second casing portion20 and the mouthpiece 30. Each of the first and second casing portions10, 20 and the mouthpiece 30 defines a respective portion of the outercasing of the overall apparatus 1. Accordingly, the outward appearanceof the apparatus 1 is defined by the combination of the first and secondcasing portions 10, 20 and the mouthpiece 30.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 5 and 6, the first casing portion 10 is generallytubular and elongate, has first and second opposite longitudinal ends11, 12, and defines the interface for co-operating with the cartridge40. In this embodiment, the interface comprises a recess 13 forreceiving the cartridge 40. In other embodiments, the interface can takea different form, such as a shelf, a surface, or a projection, andoptionally requires mechanical mating with the cartridge 40 in order toco-operate with the cartridge 40. The second longitudinal end 12 of thefirst casing portion 10 defines an opening 14 into the recess 13. Theopening 14 is shaped and sized so that the cartridge 40 is movablethrough the opening 14 to allow a user to insert the cartridge 40 intothe recess 13 and/or to remove the cartridge 40 from the recess 13, aswill be described in more detail below. The first longitudinal end 11 ofthe first casing portion 10 comprises a first connector 15 that isreleasably engageable with a second connector 25 of the second casingportion 20, as is also described in more detail below.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 7 and 8, the second casing portion 20 isgenerally tubular and elongate, has first and second oppositelongitudinal ends 21, 22, and defines a compartment 23. A plurality offirst electrical components is contained in the compartment 23. Thefirst electrical components in this embodiment comprise an electricalpower source 24 in the form of a rechargeable battery, a printed circuitboard (PCB) 26 and a universal serial bus (USB) charging interface 27.In other embodiments, the electrical power source 24 may be other than arechargeable battery, such as a non-rechargeable battery or a capacitor.The charging interface 27 is accessible at the exterior of the apparatus1 at the first longitudinal end 21 of the second casing portion 20. Anelectrical charging circuit and a voltage regulator 26 b are provided onthe PCB 26. The combination of the electrical charging circuit and thecharging interface 27 constitutes a charging arrangement of theapparatus 1. The electrical charging circuit is electrically connectedto positive and negative terminals 24 a, 24 b of the battery 24 and iselectrically connected to the charging interface 27. The battery 24 ischargeable by connecting the charging arrangement to an external supply(not shown) of electrical power using the charging interface 27. Theelectrical charging circuit comprises an overcharge preventer forpreventing overcharging of the battery 24. In variations to theillustrated embodiment, the charging interface 27 may take a form otherthan that dictated by the USB standard and/or may be located elsewhereon the second casing portion 20 or elsewhere on the apparatus 1. In someembodiments, the charging arrangement may be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 7, the second longitudinal end 22 of the second casingportion 20 comprises the second connector 25 that is engageable with thefirst connector 15 of the first casing portion 10. In this embodiment,the first connector 15 is engageable with the second connector 25 so asto connect the second casing portion 20 to the first casing portion 10.In other embodiments, the first and second casing portions 10, 20 may bepermanently connected, such as through a hinge or flexible member, sothat engagement of the first connector 15 with the second connector 25would not connect the second casing portion 20 to the first casingportion 10, as such but would serve to facilitate partial separation oropening of the first casing portion 10 and the second casing portion 20.In this embodiment, the first connector 15 is releasably engageable withthe second connector 25 so as to detachably connect the second casingportion 20 to the first casing portion 10. Accordingly, if therechargeable battery 24 contained in the second casing portion 20becomes exhausted, a user is able to swap the second casing portion 20for another second casing portion 20 containing a non-exhaustedelectrical power source 24. The user is thus able to continue using theapparatus 1, for example during recharging of the first, exhaustedrechargeable battery 24. In other embodiments, the first connector 15may not be disengageable from the second connector 25 once the first andsecond connectors 15, 25 are connected to each other. In such otherembodiments the second casing portion 20 becomes permanently connectedto the first casing portion 10 on engagement of the first and secondconnectors 15, 25.

Referring to FIGS. 5 to 8, in this embodiment the first and secondconnectors 15, 25 are female and male connectors 15, 25, respectively,and comprise co-operable female and male screw threads 15 a, 25 a,respectively. In some other embodiments, the first and second connectors15, 25 may be female and male connectors 15, 25, respectively, and maycomprise co-operable female and male screw threads, respectively. Instill further embodiments, the first and second connectors 15, 25 maycomprise co-operable structures other than screw threads, such as a pinand slot together defining a bayonet coupling, a protrusion and a holetogether defining a snap-fit connection, a plug and a socket, or thelike.

In this embodiment, the first and second connectors 15, 25 areelectrically-conductive so that, when the first and second connectors15, 25 are engaged, an electric current can be conducted from the secondconnector 25 to the first connector 15, as discussed in more detailbelow. In this embodiment, each of the first and second connectors 15,25 is made from a metal or a metal alloy, such as copper or stainlesssteel, etc. In other embodiments, one or both of the first and secondconnectors 15, 25 may be made from a different electrically-conductivematerial.

Referring to FIG. 7, it can be seen that in this embodiment the secondscrew thread 25 a has four notches 25 n therethrough, spacedcircumferentially around the second screw thread 25 a. In otherembodiments, there may be more or fewer notches 25 n through the secondscrew thread 25 a. In this embodiment, each of the notches 25 n extendslinearly and radially through the second screw thread 25 a. In otherembodiments, the notch(es) 25 n may extend radially and non-linearlythrough the second screw thread 25 a, or linearly and non-radiallythrough the second screw thread 25 a, or non-linearly and non-radiallythrough the second screw thread 25 a. In this embodiment, the notches 25n are provided only through the second screw thread 25 a. In otherembodiments, there may be one or more notches additionally oralternatively provided through the first screw thread 15 a. In someembodiments, the first and second connectors 15, 25 may be arranged sothat the notch(es) provided through the first screw thread 15 a alignwith the notch(es) provided through the second screw thread 25 a whenthe first connector 15 is fully engaged with the second connector 25.

When the first connector 15 is fully engaged with the second connector25, as shown most clearly in FIG. 11, the first and second connectors15, 25 cooperate to define between the first and second connectors 15,25 four inlets 60 for admitting air into the apparatus 1, and morespecifically into the recess 13 of the first casing portion 10, from anexterior of the apparatus 1. The inlets 60 fluidly communicate with theexterior of the apparatus 1 via an annular gap 62 that remains betweenthe first and second connectors 15, 25 at an exterior surface of theapparatus 1 when the first connector 15 is fully engaged with the secondconnector 25. The first connector 15 is fully engaged with the secondconnector 25 when no more of the first connector 15 can be made toengage with the second connector 25. In this embodiment, this fullengagement occurs when the first connector 15 cannot be moved furtherinto the second connector 25. This may, for example, be because theleading edge of the first screw thread 15 a of the first connector 15has reached the end of the second screw thread 25 a of the secondconnector 25, or because respective stops of the first and secondconnectors 15, 25 have been brought into contact with each other duringthe engagement of the first and second connectors 15, 25. In otherembodiments, there may be provided other mechanisms for defining thepoint at which the first and second connectors 15, 25 are fully engaged.In this embodiment, the first and second connectors 15, 25 arerelatively movable to alter a cross-sectional area of each of the inlets60, while maintaining engagement of the first and second connectors 15,25, so as to control the flow of air through the inlets 60. In thisembodiment, the degree of engagement of the first and second connectors15, 25 is changeable by rotating one of the first and second connectors15, 25 relative to the other. This has the effect of correspondinglyaltering the axial dimension of the inlets 60 between the first andsecond connectors 15, 25, so as to alter the cross-sectional area ofeach of the inlets 60. In this embodiment, each of the inlets 60 isdefined by a respective one of the notches 25 n and a correspondingadjacent portion of the first connector 15. In other embodiments inwhich more or fewer notches are provided, there would be correspondinglymore or fewer inlets, respectively.

In this embodiment, the compartment 23 provided in the second casingportion 20, and thus each of the first electrical components therein, isisolated from each of the inlets 60 by the material of the secondconnector 25, a board comprising second and third electrical conductors282, 283 (discussed below and shown in FIGS. 9 and 10), and a plug 25 bnested within the second connector 25 between the second connector 25and the board. This helps prevent the first electrical components beingbrought into contact with dust or other foreign matter that might bedrawn into the apparatus 1 through the inlet(s) 60 during operation ofthe apparatus 1, which otherwise could negatively affect performance ofthe first electrical components. However, in other embodiments, thecompartment 23 and/or the electrical power source 24 and/or the PCB 26(if provided) and/or the charging interface 27 (if provided) may befluidly connected to one or more or all of the inlets.

In this embodiment, the first and second casing portions 10, 20 compriserespective electrical connections for supplying electrical power fromthe electrical power source 24 to the first casing portion 10, forpowering the cartridge 40 as discussed below. More specifically, in thisembodiment the second casing portion 20 comprises a first electricalconductor 281 (shown most clearly in FIG. 8) that extends from thenegative terminal 24 b of the battery 24 to the second screw thread 25 aof the second connector 25 and bypasses the voltage regulator 26 b, thesecond electrical conductor 282 (shown most clearly in FIGS. 9 and 10)that extends from the positive terminal 24 a of the battery 24 to thevoltage regulator 26 b on the PCB 26, and a third electrical conductor283 (also shown most clearly in FIGS. 9 and 10) that extends from thevoltage regulator 26 b to a terminal 283 a. The third electricalconductor 283 is separated from the second electrical conductor 282 byan electrical insulator 284 so as to be electrically insulated from thesecond electrical conductor 282. The terminal 283 a is centrally locatedon the longitudinal axis of the second casing portion 20 at the secondlongitudinal end 22 of the second casing portion 20. The terminal 283 ais contactable via a hole 25 c in the plug 25 b. In this embodiment, theterminal 283 a is a positive terminal of the second casing portion 20,and the second screw thread 25 a of the second connector 25 is anegative terminal of the second casing portion 20.

A portion of the second electrical conductor 282 is in contact with thepositive terminal 24 a of the battery 24. A portion of the thirdelectrical conductor 283 comprises the terminal 283 a. These portions ofthe second and third electrical conductors 282, 283 are wrapped around aresilient member 29. The resilient member 29 biases the secondelectrical conductor 282 into contact with the positive terminal 24 a ofthe battery 24 in a first direction. This helps to maintain goodelectrical contact between the second electrical conductor 282 and thepositive terminal 24 a of the battery 24. The resilient member 29 alsobiases the portions of the second and third electrical conductor 282,283 into contact with the plug 25 b in a second direction. This helps toprovide a seal between the second and third electrical conductors 282,283 and the plug 25 b, thereby to aid isolation of the compartment 23from the inlets 60. The second electrical conductor 282 extends from thepositive terminal 24 a of the battery 24, around the resilient member29, and along the majority of the longitudinal length of the secondcasing portion 20 to the PCB 26, so as to electrically connect thepositive terminal 24 a of the battery 24 to the electrical chargingcircuit and the voltage regulator 26 b on the PCB 26, as previouslymentioned. The third electrical conductor 283 extends from the voltageregulator 26 b and along the majority of the longitudinal length of thesecond casing portion 20 to the terminal 283 a.

In this embodiment, each of the first, second and third electricalconductors 281, 282, 283 is made from a metal or a metal alloy, such ascopper or stainless steel, etc., but in other embodiments one or more ofthe first, second and third electrical conductors 281, 282, 283 may bemade from a different electrically-conductive material.

The respective electrical connections of the first and second casingportions 10, 20 for supplying electrical power from the electrical powersource 24 to the first casing portion 10 in the present embodiment arefurther illustrated in FIGS. 11 to 13. The first screw thread 15 a ofthe first connector 15 is in this embodiment a negative terminal of thefirst casing portion 10, and is electrically connected to the negativeterminal, i.e. the second screw thread 25 a of the second connector 25,of the second casing portion 20 when the first connector 15 is fullyengaged with the second connector 25. A plate 16 is mounted to the firstconnector 15. The plate 15 is circular about a central axis that iscoincident with the longitudinal axis of the first casing portion 10.The plate 16 is within the first casing portion 10 between the firstlongitudinal end 11 of the first casing portion 10 and the recess 13 ofthe first casing portion 10. Five holes 16 a-16 e are provided throughthe plate 16. A first hole 16 a of these holes is centrally located onthe longitudinal axis of the first casing portion 10. Within the firsthole 16 a is a first pin 17 a that projects away from the plate 16towards the first longitudinal end 11 of the first casing portion 10.The first pin 17 a is electrically-conductive and may be made from ametal or a metal alloy, such as copper or stainless steel or the like.The first pin 17 a is a positive terminal of the first casing portion10. When the first connector 15 is fully engaged with the secondconnector 25, as is most clearly illustrated in FIG. 11, the first pin17 a is located in the hole 25 c in the plug 25 b and is in surfacecontact with the positive terminal, i.e. the terminal 283 a, of thesecond casing portion 20.

Referring to FIG. 12, within second and third holes 16 b, 16 c of theholes through the plate 16 are second and third pins 17 b, 17 c thatproject away from the plate 16 in an opposite direction to the pin 17 a,and into the recess 13. Each of the second and third pins 17 b, 17 c iselectrically-conductive and may be made from a metal or a metal alloy,such as copper or stainless steel or the like. Herein, the second pin 17b is referred to as a “first electrically-conductive terminal” and thethird pin 17 c is referred to as a “second electrically-conductiveterminal”. Moreover, herein, the first pin 17 a is referred to as a“third electrically-conductive terminal”, the terminal 283 a of thesecond casing portion 20 is referred to as a “fourthelectrically-conductive terminal”, the first screw thread 15 a of thefirst connector 15 is referred to as a “fifth electrically-conductiveterminal”, and the second screw thread 25 a of the second connector 25is referred to as a “sixth electrically-conductive terminal”. The firstand second electrically-conductive terminals 17 b, 17 c are forsupplying electrical power to the cartridge 40, when the interface isco-operating with the cartridge 40 (i.e. when the cartridge 40 is fullylocated in the recess 13) and the first connector 15 is fully engagedwith the second connector 25.

In this embodiment, the second electrically-conductive terminal 17 c iselectrically connected to the fifth electrically-conductive terminal 15a via a controller 50 contained in the first casing portion 10.Moreover, in this embodiment, the first electrically-conductive terminal17 b is electrically connected to the third electrically-conductiveterminal 17 a via the controller 50. In this embodiment, the controller50 comprises an integrated circuit (IC). In other embodiments, thecontroller 50 may take a different form. The controller 50 is forcontrolling the supply of electrical power to a heating element 410 inthe cartridge 40, when the cartridge 40 is fully located in the recess13, as will be described in more detail below. When the first connector15 is fully engaged with the second connector 25, the thirdelectrically-conductive terminal 17 a is in surface contact with thefourth electrically-conductive terminal 283 a, and the fifthelectrically-conductive terminal 15 a is in surface contact with thesixth electrically-conductive terminal 25 a. That is, the first casingportion 10 is connected to the second casing portion 20 with the thirdand fifth electrically-conductive terminals 17 a, 15 a in surfacecontact with the fourth and sixth electrically-conductive terminals 283a, 25 a, respectively.

Accordingly, when the first connector 15 is fully engaged with thesecond connector 25, the positive terminal 24 a of the electrical powersource 24 is electrically connected to the controller 50 via the voltageregulator 26 b, and the negative terminal 24 b of the electrical powersource 24 is electrically connected to the controller 50 by anelectrically-conductive path that is free of the voltage regulator 26 b.Since each of the first and second screw threads 15 a, 25 a is part ofthe casing of the apparatus 1, the electrically-conductive pathcomprises a part of the casing.

In this embodiment, the controller 50 is located in the first casingportion 10, and more specifically radially outwardly of the recess 13and between the first and second longitudinal ends 11, 12 of the firstcasing portion 10. The controller 50 is operated in this embodiment byuser-actuation of an actuator 18. The actuator 18 is located at theexterior of the first casing portion 10 radially outwardly of thecontroller 50 and the recess 13 and takes the form of a push-button. Inother embodiments, a different form of actuator 18 may be provided, suchas a toggle switch, a dial, or the like. In this embodiment, thecontroller 50 is isolated from each of the inlets 60 by the plate 16 andthe section of the first casing portion 10 that defines the recess 13.In other embodiments, additional or alternative electrical componentslocated in the first casing portion 10 may be isolated from the inlets60. This helps prevent the electrical components in the first casingportion 10 being brought into contact with dust or other foreign matterthat might be drawn into the apparatus 1 through the inlet(s) 60 duringoperation of the apparatus 1, which otherwise could negatively affectperformance of those electrical components. However, in otherembodiments, the controller 50 and/or other electrical components in thefirst casing portion 10 may be fluidly connected to one or more of theinlets 60.

In other embodiments, the controller 50 may be provided in the plate 16of the first casing portion 10, or in the second casing portion 20. Thecontroller 50 may be provided on a PCB or another structure. Inembodiments in which the controller 50 is comprised in the second casingportion 20, one of the positive and negative terminals 24 a, 24 b of theelectrical power source 24 may be electrically connected to thecontroller 50 via the voltage regulator 26 b, and the other of thepositive and negative terminals 24 a, 24 b of the electrical powersource 24 may be electrically connected to the controller 50 by anelectrically-conductive path that is free of the voltage regulator 26 b.

In this embodiment, the first, third and fourth electrically-conductiveterminals 17 b, 17 a, 283 a are electrically connected to the positiveterminal 24 a of the electrical power source 24, and the second, fifthand sixth electrically-conductive terminals 17 c 15 a, 25 a areelectrically connected to the negative terminal 24 b of the electricalpower source 24, when the first connector 15 is engaged with the secondconnector 25. In some other embodiments, the polarities of the terminals24 a, 24 b of the battery 24 may be reversed.

Providing that one of the positive and negative terminals 24 a, 24 b ofthe electrical power source 24 is electrically connected to thecontroller 50 via the voltage regulator 26 b, while the other of thepositive and negative terminals 24 a, 24 b of the electrical powersource 24 is electrically connected to the controller 50 by anelectrically-conductive path that is free of the voltage regulator 26 b,helps to simplify manufacture of the apparatus 1. Fewer connections tothe voltage regulator 26 b may be required and theelectrically-conductive path can be provided regardless of the locationof the voltage regulator 26 b in the apparatus 1. This also gives adesigner of the apparatus 1 greater design freedom when designing theapparatus 1.

The mouthpiece 30 of this embodiment of the apparatus 1 will now bedescribed in more detail, with particular reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.The mouthpiece 30 is generally tubular and elongate and has first andsecond opposite longitudinal ends 31, 32. The first longitudinal end 31of the mouthpiece 30 is a first longitudinal end of the apparatus 1,whereas the first longitudinal end 21 of the second casing portion 20 isa second longitudinal end of the apparatus 1. The second longitudinalend 32 of the mouthpiece 30 comprises a connector 33 that is engageablewith a second connector 19 of the first casing portion 10 at the secondlongitudinal end 12 of the first casing portion 10.

In this embodiment, the connector 33 of the mouthpiece 30 is engageablewith the second connector 19 of the first casing portion 10 so as toconnect the mouthpiece 30 to the first casing portion 10. In otherembodiments, the mouthpiece 30 and the first casing portion 10 may bepermanently connected, such as through a hinge or flexible member, sothat engagement of the connector 33 of the mouthpiece 30 with the secondconnector 19 of the first casing portion 10 would not be so as toconnect the mouthpiece 30 to the first casing portion 10, as such. Inthis embodiment, the connector 33 of the mouthpiece 30 is releasablyengageable with the second connector 19 of the first casing portion 10so as to detachably connect the mouthpiece 30 to the first casingportion 10. In other embodiments, the connector 33 of the mouthpiece 30may not be disengageable from the second connector 19 of the firstcasing portion 10 once connected thereto. In such other embodiments themouthpiece 30 may become permanently connected to the first casingportion 10 on engagement of the connector 33 of the mouthpiece 30 withthe second connector 19 of the first casing portion 10.

In this embodiment, the connector 33 of the mouthpiece 30 and the secondconnector 19 of the first casing portion 10 respectively comprise twoprotrusions and two corresponding holes or recesses. The protrusions andrecesses together define a snap-fit connection for connecting themouthpiece 30 to the first casing portion 10. In other embodiments theconnector 33 of the mouthpiece 30 and the second connector 19 of thefirst casing portion 10 may comprise other forms of co-operablestructures, such as co-operable screw threads, a bayonet coupling, aplug and a socket, or the like.

The mouthpiece 30 comprises an inlet 34 at the second longitudinal end32 of the mouthpiece 30, an outlet 35 at the first longitudinal end 31of the mouthpiece 30, and a channel 36 fluidly connecting the inlet 34with the outlet 35. In this embodiment, the channel 36 extendssubstantially linearly along the longitudinal axis of the mouthpiece 30.In other embodiments, the channel 36 may be located elsewhere in themouthpiece 30 or may take other than a substantially linear form. Themouthpiece 30 also comprises a seal 37 surrounding the inlet 34. In thisembodiment, the seal 37 defines the inlet 34, but in other embodimentsthe inlet 34 may be defined by another member and the seal 37 maysurround the other member. In this embodiment, the seal 37 is flexibleand resilient, but in other embodiments the seal 37 may be hard, rigidor inflexible. Moreover, in this embodiment the seal 37 comprises anO-ring that is attached to the rest of the mouthpiece 30, but in otherembodiments the seal 37 could take a different form and may not even becircular. For example, in some embodiments, the seal 37 may be co-moldedwith the rest of the mouthpiece 30. In some such embodiments, the seal37 may be resilient while other portions of the mouthpiece 30 are lessresilient or inflexible.

In some embodiments, the mouthpiece 30 may comprise, or be impregnatedwith, a flavorant. The flavorant may be arranged so as to be picked upby the hot aerosol as the aerosol passes through the channel 36 of themouthpiece 30 in use.

The mouthpiece 30 is locatable relative to the first casing portion 10so as to cover the opening 14 into the recess 13. More specifically, inthis embodiment, the mouthpiece 30 is locatable relative to the firstcasing portion 10 so as to cover the opening 14 with the outlet 35 atthe exterior of the apparatus 1, and with the seal 37 facing the recess13. When the mouthpiece 30 is so located relative to the first casingportion 10, the seal 37 is for contacting the cartridge 40 when thecartridge 40 is in the recess 13 to seal the inlet 31 of the mouthpiece30 to the cartridge 40 in use. In this embodiment, when the mouthpiece30 is so located relative to the first casing portion 10, and when thecartridge 40 is in the recess 13, the seal 37 is compressed between thechannel 36 and the cartridge 40. This presses the cartridge 40 into therecess 13, which in turn helps ensure that the seventh and eighthelectrically-conductive terminals 47 a, 47 b (discussed below) of thecartridge 40 are in surface contact with the first and secondelectrically-conductive terminals 17 b, 17 c, respectively.

The cartridge 40 of this embodiment of the apparatus 1 will now bedescribed in more detail, with particular reference to FIGS. 14, 15 and17. In this embodiment, the cartridge 40 comprises a housing 43 defininga chamber 44. A heating device 400 is located within the chamber 44. Inother embodiments, the housing 43 may be omitted or take a differentform to that illustrated. In some embodiments, the heating device may becomprised in an apparatus that does not comprise a cartridge. As will bedescribed in more detail below, in this embodiment, the heating device400 comprises a heating element 410 with smokable material 420 arrangedon the heating element 410. The heating element 410 is for heating thesmokable material 420, and is a support on which the smokable material420 is arranged. The heating device 400 is arranged to heat the smokablematerial 420 to volatilize at least one component of the smokablematerial 420 to create volatilized material. Typically, thisvolatilization causes the formation of an aerosol. The aerosol isinhalable by a user of the apparatus 1 via the channel 36 of themouthpiece 30. Operation of the apparatus 1 will be described in moredetail below.

In this embodiment, the housing 43 comprises first and second housingparts 43 a, 43 b that cooperate so as to define the chamber 44. Theheating device 400 extends from the first housing part 43 a into thechamber 44 and towards and through the second housing part 43 b. Thefirst and second housing parts 43 a, 43 b define first and secondlongitudinal ends 41, 42 of the cartridge 40, respectively. In otherembodiments, first and second longitudinal ends 41, 42 of the cartridge40 may both be defined by one housing part, i.e. by one component. Inthis embodiment, the first housing part 43 a is non-unitary with thesecond housing part 43 b and is attached to the second housing part 43b. In this embodiment, this attachment is effected through a snap-fitconnection between the first and second housing parts 43 a, 43 b, but inother embodiments the attachment may be effected through othermechanisms. In this embodiment, all of the housing 43 is made ofnon-porous material. Accordingly, air is unable to pass through thematerial of the housing 43 itself. However, with the first and secondhousing parts 43 a, 43 b so attached, the first and second housing parts43 a, 43 b cooperate so as to define an air flow path 45 in the form ofa hole 45 between the first and second housing parts 43 a, 43 b. The airflow path 45 extends through the housing 43 and is for admitting airinto the chamber 44 of the cartridge 40 from an exterior of the housing43.

In other embodiments, the air flow path 45 may be defined differently,such as by a hole formed through a component of the housing 43. In someembodiments, the housing 43 may consist of more or fewer housing partsdefining the chamber 44 and/or defining the air flow path 45. Inembodiments other than those shown in the Figures, a portion, or all, ofthe housing 43 may be made of porous material for admitting air into thechamber 44 of the cartridge 40 from an exterior of the housing 43. Thatis, the air may be able to pass through the material of the housing 43itself without there necessarily being a hole through the material or agap between the first and second housing parts 43 a, 43 b. Accordingly,the porous material itself provides one or more air flow paths extendingthrough the housing 43 for admitting air into the chamber 44 of thecartridge 40 from an exterior of the housing 43. In some embodiments, afirst portion of the housing 43 may be made of porous material foradmitting air into the chamber 44 from an exterior of the housing 43,and a second portion of the housing 43 may be made of non-porousmaterial. In some such embodiments, the first portion and/or the secondportion of the housing 43 may have one or more holes extendingtherethrough for further admitting air into the chamber 44 from anexterior of the housing 43.

In this embodiment, since all of the housing 43 is made of non-porousmaterial, aerosol or volatilized material generated within the housing43 is unable to pass through the material of the housing 43 itself.However, the housing 43 has a plurality of volatilized material flowpaths extending therethrough for permitting the volatilized material topass from the chamber 44 out of the housing 43. In this embodiment, thevolatilized material flow paths comprise a plurality of apertures 46extending through the housing. In this embodiment, the apertures 46extend through the second housing part 43 b. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 16,in this embodiment, when the mouthpiece 30 is located relative to thefirst casing portion 10 so as to cover the opening 14, the seal 37surrounds the apertures 46 at the exterior of the housing 43, with theapertures 46 fluidly connected to the channel 36 via the inlet 34 of themouthpiece 30. In this embodiment, the apertures 46 are at the secondlongitudinal end 42 of the cartridge 40. The second longitudinal end 42is closer to the mouthpiece 30 in the assembled apparatus 1 than is thefirst longitudinal end 41 of the cartridge 40. In some embodiments, thehousing 43 may have only one volatilized material flow path extendingtherethrough for permitting the volatilized material to pass from thechamber 44 out of the housing 43. For example, in some embodiments,there may be provided only a single aperture in place of the pluralityof apertures 46.

In embodiments other than those shown in the Figures, a portion, or all,of the housing 43 may be made of porous material for permitting aerosolor volatilized material to pass from the chamber 44 out of the housing43. That is, aerosol or volatilized material may be able to pass throughthe material of the housing 43 itself without there necessarily beingone or more apertures through the material. Accordingly, the porousmaterial itself provides one or more volatilized material flow pathsextending through the housing 43 for permitting the volatilized materialto pass from the chamber 44 out of the housing 43. In some embodiments,a first portion of the housing 43 is made of non-porous material, and asecond portion of the housing 43 is made of porous material forpermitting volatilized material to pass from the chamber 44 out of thehousing 43. The second portion of the housing 43 may comprise a plateco-molded with the first portion of the housing 43, for example. In somesuch embodiments, the first portion and/or the second portion of thehousing 43 may have one or more apertures 46 extending therethrough forfurther permitting volatilized material to pass from the chamber 44 outof the housing 43. In some embodiments, an inlet portion of the housing43 may be made of porous material for admitting air into the chamber 44of the cartridge 40 from an exterior of the housing 43, and an outletportion of the housing 43 may be made of porous material for permittingvolatilized material to pass from the chamber 44 to the exterior of thehousing 43. The inlet and outlet portions may have the same, ordifferent, porosities or void fractions.

Where used, the porous material of the housing 43 may comprise forexample polyethylene or nylon. Different grades of polyethylene offerdifferent levels of porosity. The use of polyethylene to provide asuitable housing, or portion of a housing, for permitting aerosol orvolatilized material to pass from the chamber 44 to the exterior of thehousing 43 will be apparent to the skilled person on consideration ofthis disclosure. In some embodiments, part of the cartridge, such as thehousing, may comprise, or be impregnated with, a flavorant. Theflavorant may be arranged so as to be picked up by the hot aerosolgenerated within the chamber 44 in use.

In this embodiment, and as shown in FIG. 17, the heating element 410comprises a sandwich or laminate structure comprising three layers. Thethree layers are a first layer 411 of material, a layer 412 ofelectrically-conductive material, and a second layer 413 of material.The layer 412 of electrically-conductive material is located between,and in contact with, the first and second layers 411, 413 of material.The first layer 411 of material is a first support layer 411, and thesecond layer 413 of material is a second support layer 413. However, inother embodiments, the sandwich or laminate structure may comprise moreor fewer layers. In some embodiments, such as this embodiment, theheating element 410 comprises a first support layer 411 and a layer 412of electrically-conductive material on a surface of the first supportlayer 411 and defining one or more electrically-conductive tracks. Insome embodiments, the heating element 410 may not comprise a sandwich orlaminate structure. For example, in some embodiments one or both of thefirst and second support layers 411, 413 may be omitted. In someembodiments, one or more additional layers may be provided between thelayer 412 of electrically-conductive material and the first supportlayer 411 and/or between the layer 412 of electrically-conductivematerial and the second support layer 413.

The layer 412 of electrically-conductive material is retained relativeto each of the first and second support layers 411, 413. This can beachieved in a number of different ways. For example, as in thisembodiment, the material of the first and second support layers 411, 413may envelop or surround the layer 412 of electrically-conductivematerial, so as to retain the layer 412 of electrically-conductivematerial relative to each of the first and second support layers 411,413. Alternatively or additionally, some portion(s) of the material ofthe first and second support layers 411, 413 may be located in holesformed through the layer 412 of electrically-conductive material, so asto lock the first and second support layers 411, 413 to the layer 412 ofelectrically-conductive material. Alternatively or additionally,depending on the materials used, the material of the first and secondsupport layers 411, 413 may bond naturally to the material of the layer412 of electrically-conductive material, so as to lock the first andsecond support layers 411, 413 to the layer 412 ofelectrically-conductive material. Alternatively or additionally, thefirst and second support layers 411, 413 may be bonded to the layer 412of electrically-conductive material by an adhesive. When provided, suchadhesive may form additional identifiable adhesive layers between thelayer 412 of electrically-conductive material and the first and secondsupport layers 411, 413, respectively.

In this embodiment, the material of the first support layer 411 is thesame material as the material of the second support layer 413. This canfacilitate manufacture of the sandwich or laminate structure. Duringmanufacture, the layer 412 of electrically-conductive material may bedipped in the material of the first and second support layers 411, 413in fluid form, so as to coat some or all of the layer 412 ofelectrically-conductive material. Then, the material of the first andsecond support layers 411, 413 may be allowed to cure or set so as toharden, thereby retaining the resultant first and second support layers411, 413 relative to the layer 412 of electrically-conductive material.

In this embodiment, the layer 412 of electrically-conductive material isa layer 412 of stainless steel. However, in other embodiments, theelectrically-conductive material may be a different metal alloy, or ametal, or the like. For example, in some embodiments, theelectrically-conductive material is, or comprises, one or more of:steel, stainless steel, copper and nichrome. In this embodiment, theelectrically-conductive material is in the form of a foil, so that thelayer 412 of electrically-conductive material is a foil layer 412. Inembodiments in which the electrically-conductive material is other thanstainless steel, the layer 412 of electrically-conductive materialnevertheless may be a foil layer 412.

In this embodiment, the electrically-conductive material is etched insuch a manner as to be patterned to provide the electrically-conductivetracks and to increase the surface area of the electrically-conductivematerial. For example, the patterning may cause the surface of theelectrically-conductive material to be roughened or ridged or rippled orstippled, etc. In other embodiments, the electrically-conductivematerial may be printed in such a manner as to be patterned, or may bepatterned by some other process. In still further embodiments, theelectrically-conductive material may be non-patterned. For example, insome such embodiments, the layer 412 of electrically-conductive materialmay be a simple rectangular strip of the electrically-conductivematerial.

The electrically-conductive material of the heating element 410 isheatable by passing an electric current through theelectrically-conductive material. By suitably patterning theelectrically-conductive material, the surface area of theelectrically-conductive material is increased so as to provide more areafor heat conduction to the smokable material 420 arranged on the heatingelement 410. The first and second support layers 411, 413 may be so thinas not to fill completely the resultant roughened or patterned surfaceof the electrically-conductive material. The smokable material 420 may,for example, fill the resultant roughened or patterned surface of theheating element 410, so that the smokable material 420 has a highersurface area to volume ratio. In some embodiments, patterning of theelectrically-conductive material can also act to set a cross sectionalarea and length of an electric current flow-path in theelectrically-conductive material, so that heating of the heating element410 can be achieved by passing a predetermined electric current throughthe electrically-conductive material. Moreover, by suitably patterningthe electrically-conductive material, the electrically-conductivematerial can be shaped so that the electrically-conductive material ismaintained at areas of the heating element 410 that are to be the focusof the heating. Accordingly, depending on the patterning provided,uniformity of heating of the smokable material 420 may be achieved inuse.

In this embodiment, each of the first and second support layers 411, 413is made of a material that is resistant to heat. In this embodiment,each of the first and second support layers 411, 413 is an electricalinsulator. More particularly, each of these layers is resistant to heatat least over the expected range of temperatures of the heating element410 that will arise in operation, such as for example 180 to 220 degreesCelsius. Polyimide is an example of material that is resistant to heatat least over this range of temperatures. In this embodiment, each ofthe first and second support layers 411, 413 is a layer of polyimide. Asdiscussed elsewhere herein, the controller 50 is in some embodimentsarranged to ensure that the heating element 410 is heated to atemperature within this range. Accordingly, the polyimide is able towithstand the heating of the electrically-conductive material during useof the device. In other embodiments, the material of the first supportlayer 411 may be other than polyimide, and/or the material of the secondsupport layer 413 may be other than polyimide. In some embodiments, thefirst and second support layers 411, 413 are layers of respectivedifferent materials. However, whichever material or materials is/areused for the first and second support layers 411, 413, preferably thematerial(s) are resistant to heat at least over the above-discussedtemperature range. In this embodiment, each of the first and secondsupport layers 411, 413 is a layer that is impervious to moisture, toprevent any moisture present in the smokable material 420 fromcontacting the layer 412 of electrically-conductive material.

In this embodiment, the heating element 410 is planar, or at leastsubstantially planar. A planar heating element 410 tends to be simplerto manufacture. However, in other embodiments, the heating element 410may be non-planar. For example, in some embodiments, the heating element410 may be folded, or crimped, or corrugated, or cruciform in crosssection, or the like. A substantially cylindrical heater format is alsoenvisaged. A non-planar heating element 410 can have an outer surfacethat is better suited to retaining the smokable material 420 thereon.For example, when a corrugated or similar heating element 410 is used,the smokable material 420 may adhere or bond more readily to troughs inthe outer surface of the heating element 410 formed by the corrugations.Additionally, a non-planar heating element 410 provides more surfacearea for conduction of heat to the smokable material 420. It can thensupport more smokable material 420 in a layer of a given thickness.Smokable materials such as tobacco are often poor heat conductors and soit may be desirable to provide the smokable material 420 in relativelythin layers to reduce electrical power consumption or to increase therate of heating the smokable material 420.

In this embodiment, the smokable material 420 comprises tobacco and isarranged on the heating element 410 in two portions 421, 422, as shownin for example FIGS. 15 and 17. In this embodiment, the smokablematerial 420 is in a solid state and comprises particles of the smokablematerial. The first and second portions 421, 422 of the smokablematerial 420 are bonded by an adhesive to the heating element 410, asdescribed in more detail herein. More specifically, the first portion421 of the smokable material 420 is bonded to the first support layer411 so that the first support layer 411 lies between the layer 412 ofelectrically-conductive material and the first portion 421 of thesmokable material 420. The second portion 422 of the smokable material420 is bonded to the second support layer 413 so that the second supportlayer 413 lies between the layer 412 of electrically-conductive materialand the second portion 422 of the smokable material 420. Accordingly,the first and second portions 421, 422 of the smokable material 420 arearranged on first and second portions of the heating element 410, namelyon respective surfaces of the first and second support layers 411, 413.In this embodiment, the respective surfaces are respective first andsecond sides of the heating element 410. Moreover, in this embodiment,the first and second sides are respective opposite sides of the heatingelement 410. In other embodiments, the first and second sides may benon-opposite sides of the heating element 410, such as adjacent sides ofthe heating element 410.

As shown in FIG. 17, in this embodiment the adhesive forms additionalidentifiable adhesive layers 310, 320 between the heating element 410and the first and second portions 421, 422 of the smokable material 420,respectively. However, in some embodiments, the smokable material 420may be interspersed within the adhesive so that the first and secondportions 421, 422 of the smokable material 420 comprise the adhesive andno further identifiable adhesive layers are present. In someembodiments, the adhesive may be omitted and the smokable material 420may be bonded to the heating element 410, or arranged on the heatingelement 410, by some other mechanism.

In some embodiments, the first portion 421 of the smokable material 420has a form so as to be heatable by the heating element 410 more quicklythan the second portion 422 of the smokable material 420. Morespecifically, in this embodiment for example, the first portion 421 ofthe smokable material 420 is arranged on the heating element 410 with afirst thickness and the second portion 422 of the smokable material 420is arranged on the heating element 410 with a second thickness. Thus,the first portion 421 of the smokable material 420 has the firstthickness and the second portion 422 of the smokable material 420 hasthe second thickness. The second thickness is greater than the firstthickness. Herein, in this context, “thickness” means a depth of therelevant portion 421, 422 of the smokable material 420 as measured fromthe surface of the heating element 410 on which the smokable material420 is arranged in a direction normal to that surface.

In some embodiments, first and second portions 421, 422 of the smokablematerial 420 may be arranged on first and second portions of the heatingelement 410 that are first and second portions of one side of theheating element 410. That is, the first and second portions 421, 422 ofthe smokable material 420 may be on the same side of the heating element410.

For example, as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 18, the smokablematerial 420 is arranged so that a first portion 421 of the smokablematerial 420 on a first side 410 a of the heating element 410 has afirst thickness and a second portion 422 of the smokable material 420 onthe first side 410 a of the heating element 410 has a second thickness.The second thickness is greater than the first thickness. A similararrangement of the smokable material 420 is provided on a second side410 b of the heating element 410 opposite from the first side 410 a.

As shown in FIG. 18, the thickness of the smokable material 420 on thefirst side 410 a of the heating element 410 tapers from the firstportion 421 of the smokable material 420 to the second portion 422 ofthe smokable material 420. In this embodiment, the taper is linear orsubstantially linear. In other embodiments, the taper may be non-linear;for example, the outer surface of the smokable material 420 may beconcave or convex. In still other embodiments, the smokable material 420may be arranged on the first side 410 a of the heating element 410 to athickness that increases in a stepwise manner from the first portion 421of the smokable material 420 to the second portion 422 of the smokablematerial 420. In one such embodiment, as shown in FIG. 19, there is onlya single step in the thickness of the smokable material 420 arranged onthe first side 410 a of the heating element 410. The single step is atthe point where the first portion 421 of the smokable material 420 meetsthe second portion 422 of the smokable material 420. In another suchembodiment, as shown in FIG. 20, there are plural steps in the thicknessof the smokable material 420 between the first and second portions 421,422 of the smokable material 420 arranged on the first side 410 a of theheating element 410. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 20, the first andsecond portions 421, 422 of the smokable material 420 are at respectiveopposite ends of the smokable material 420. However, in otherembodiments, this may not be the case.

In some embodiments, the smokable material 420 may be arranged only onone side of the heating element 410. For example, in respectivealternative embodiments to those shown in FIGS. 18 to 20, the smokablematerial 420 on the first side 410 a or the second side 410 b of theheating element 410 may be omitted.

By arranging different portions of the smokable material 420 on theheating element 410 with different thicknesses, progressive heating ofthe smokable material 420, and thereby progressive generation ofaerosol, is achievable. More specifically, in use, only a relativelysmall degree of heating of the heating element 410 is required to causethe first, thinner portion 421 of the smokable material 420 to becomeheated, thereby to initiate volatilization of at least one component ofthe smokable material 420 in the first portion 421 of the smokablematerial 420 and formation of an aerosol in the first portion 421 of thesmokable material 420. As the heating element 410 further heats up, thesecond, thicker portion 422 of the smokable material 420 becomessufficiently heated to initiate volatilization of at least one componentof the smokable material 420 in the second portion 422 of the smokablematerial 420 and formation of an aerosol in the second portion 422 ofthe smokable material 420. The aerosol is output from respective outersurfaces of the first and second portions 421, 422 of the smokablematerial 420. Accordingly, an aerosol is able to be formed relativelyrapidly for inhalation by a user, and the heating device 400 is arrangedto continue forming an aerosol thereafter for subsequent inhalation bythe user even after the first, thinner portion 421 of the smokablematerial 420 may have ceased generating aerosol. The first portion 421of the smokable material 420 may cease generating the aerosol when itbecomes exhausted of volatilizable components of the smokable material420.

In other embodiments, additionally or alternatively to the variation inthickness of the smokable material 420 in any of the above-describedembodiments, the first and second portions 421, 422 of the smokablematerial 420 may have different mean particle sizes. That is, the firstportion 421 of the smokable material 420 may comprise particles of thesmokable material 420 having a first mean particle size, and the secondportion 422 of the smokable material 420 may comprise particles of thesmokable material 420 having a second mean particle size. The secondmean particle size is greater than the first mean particle size.Typically, particles of the smokable material 420 having a smaller meanparticle size are heatable more quickly by a given heat source than areparticles of the smokable material 420 having a greater mean particlesize. By providing different portions of the smokable material 420 withdifferent mean particle sizes, progressive heating of the smokablematerial 420, and thereby progressive generation of aerosol, isachievable substantially as discussed above.

In some embodiments, the smokable material 420 may be provided having amean particle size of 0.6 to 0.9 mm or 0.7 to 0.8 mm. Mean particle sizecan, however, vary across the smokable material. In some embodiments,the smokable material is prepared using mesh separation (or sieves) suchthat the majority or substantially all of the smokable material has aparticle size in the above mentioned ranges. In some embodiments, aheater area of 6 cm² coated with such particulate smokable material 420may provide an acceptable consumer experience lasting nominally threeminutes. This size may, of course, be adjusted for a longer or shorterexperience, as required. In some embodiments, the smokable material 420may be in the form of a gel. The gel may or may not comprise particlesof smokable material.

While in each of the above-described embodiments the smokable material420 comprises a first portion 421 having a form so as to be heatable bythe heating element 410 more quickly than a second portion 422 of thesmokable material 420, in other embodiments this feature may be omitted.

The adhesive used to bond the smokable material 420 to the heatingelement 410 comprises a polysaccharide such as cellulose, a cellulosederivative, alginic acid or an alginate salt, suitably sodium, potassiumor calcium alginate. In one embodiment, the adhesive comprises acellulose derivative, suitably hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC). Inother embodiments, the adhesive used to bond the smokable material 420to the heating element 410 comprises alginic acid or an alginate salt,suitably sodium, potassium or calcium alginate. Polysaccharides such asthese demonstrate good wettability properties, which aid in bonding thesmokable material 420 to the heating element 410. This is particularlythe case when the adhesive is bonding smokable material 420 to ahydrophobic surface, such as a polyimide hydrophobic surface. It is alsodesirable that the adhesive be food acceptable and optionally, a foodgrade material.

In one embodiment, the identifiable adhesive layers 310, 320 between theheating element 410 and the smokable material 420 comprises apolysaccharide. The adhesive layers 310, 320 are disposed on, andsubstantially completely cover the support layers 411, 413. The adhesivemay cover the heating element 410 at least partially. In otherembodiments, the adhesive may be disposed directly on the electricallyconductive material 12. In each case, the adhesive and smokable material420 are coated onto the outermost layer of the heating element 410.

In this embodiment, identifiable layers of adhesive 310, 320 arearranged on the support layers 411, 413, which themselves surround theelectrically conductive material 412. Portions 421, 422 of the smokablematerial are layers disposed on top of the adhesive layers 310, 320. Inother embodiments, separate layers of adhesive and smokable material 420cannot be identified. A layer comprising the adhesive and smokablematerial may be disposed on the support layers 411, 413. The smokablematerial 420 may be at least partially or completely dispersed withinthe adhesive.

In some embodiments, the cartridge 40 contains a mass of thermalinsulation material between the heating device 400 and the housing 43.By “mass of thermal insulation material”, it is meant that the thermalinsulation material is not a gas or not merely a gas.

For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 21, the cartridge 40 is thesame as the cartridge 40 shown in FIG. 15 except that the cartridge ofFIG. 21 includes a mass of thermal insulation material 430 between theheating device 400 and the housing 43. In this embodiment, the thermalinsulation material 430 surrounds the heating device 400, fills a spacebetween the heating device 400 and the housing 43, and is in contactwith the housing 43 and the smokable material 420 of the heating device400. In other embodiments, the thermal insulation material 430 mayencircle the heating device 400 without fully surrounding the heatingdevice 400. In some embodiments, the thermal insulation material 430 maybe in contact with only one of the housing 43 and the heating device400, and may not fill the space therebetween.

In the embodiment of FIG. 21, the thermal insulation material 430comprises wadding. However, in other embodiments, the thermal insulationmaterial 430 may comprise one or more materials selected from the groupconsisting of: wadding, fleece, non-woven material, non-woven fleece,woven material, knitted material, nylon, foam, closed cell foam,polystyrene, closed cell polystyrene foam, polyester, polyesterfilament, polypropylene, a blend of polyester and polypropylene. Othertypes of thermal insulation material may also be suitable.

In the cartridge 40 shown in FIG. 21, the thermal insulation material430 has a density of about 100 grams per square meter (gsm) and athickness of about 1.2 millimeters. In other embodiments, one or both ofthe thickness and the density of the thermal insulation material 430 maybe different. However, if the density is too high, the thermalinsulation material 430 may act as a filter and attenuate the aerosoloutput from the heating device 400. Alternatively, if the density is toolow, the thermal insulation material 430 may not provide effectivethermal insulation. An appropriate density, particularly when thethermal insulation material 430 comprises wadding or fleece, may bebetween about 60 and about 140 gsm, or between about 80 and about 120gsm. When the thermal insulation material 430 comprises a material otherthan wadding or fleece, a density of the thermal insulation material 430may be chosen to effect similar thermal properties to those achievedwhen the thermal insulation material 430 comprises wadding or fleece ofthe above density. In some embodiments, the mass of thermal insulationmaterial 430 is heat resistant at least over the expected range oftemperatures of the heating element 410 that will arise in operation,such as for example 180 to 220 degrees Celsius as discussed above, andwill not degrade when subjected to such operation temperatures.

In some embodiments, the cartridge 40 comprises thermal insulationmaterial in the form of a laminate or sandwich structure having aplurality of layers of material. In some such embodiments, an outerlayer of the layers of material forms the housing 43, or a portion ofthe housing 43, of the cartridge 40, and one or more other layers of thesandwich structure forms the mass of thermal insulation material 430.Accordingly, in some embodiments, the housing 43, or a portion of thehousing 43, may be integrally formed with the mass of thermal insulationmaterial 430.

In some embodiments, the thermal insulation material helps to retardheat loss from the heating device 400 in use. In some embodiments, thethermal insulation material helps to ensure that volatilized materialgenerated in the chamber 44 in use does not condense on the innersurface of the housing 43. In some embodiments, the provision of themass of thermal insulation material helps to increase the surface areaon which aerosol generated in the cartridge 40 in use may form. In someembodiments, a head space remains between the mass of thermal insulationmaterial and the housing 43, which further helps to increase the surfacearea on which aerosol generated in the cartridge 40 may form in use. Insome embodiments, such a mass of thermal insulation material helps toincrease the amount of aerosol generated in the cartridge 40 in use, andthus may enhance the consumer experience.

While the cartridge 40 shown in FIG. 21 is a variation of the cartridge40 shown in FIG. 15, similarly, in respective variations to theembodiments shown in FIGS. 18 to 20, the cartridge 40 may comprise amass of thermal insulation material between the heating device 400 andthe housing 43. Indeed, in respective variations to each of theembodiments of a cartridge 40 discussed herein, the cartridge 40 maycomprise a mass of thermal insulation material between the heatingdevice 400, or heating element 410, and the housing 43.

In some embodiments, in which the heating element 410 or the smokablematerial 420 is omitted from the cartridge 40, the mass of thermalinsulation material may be provided in the cartridge 40 between thehousing 43 and the smokable material 420 or the heating element 410,respectively. In some such embodiments, the mass of thermal insulationmaterial encircles and/or contacts the smokable material 420 or theheating element 410, respectively. In some such embodiments, the mass ofthermal insulation material contacts the housing 43 and/or fills a spacebetween the housing 43 and the smokable material 420 or the heatingelement 410, respectively.

Generally speaking, the heating device 400 may be manufactured bylocating the layer 412 of electrically-conductive material between thefirst layer 411 of material and the second layer 413 of material to formthe heating element 410, and arranging the smokable material 420 on theheating element 410. In this embodiment of the method, the smokablematerial 420 is arranged on the heating element 410 after the layer 412of electrically-conductive material has been located between, and incontact with, the first and second support layers, 411, 413.

In this embodiment of the method, the method comprises patterning theelectrically-conductive material, such as by etching or printing theelectrically-conductive material for example, to form the layer 412 ofelectrically-conductive material. In some embodiments, theelectrically-conductive material is located on one of the first andsecond support layers 411, 413, then patterned, and then the other ofthe first and second support layers 411, 413 is applied to locate thelayer 412 of electrically-conductive material between the first andsecond support layers 411, 413. In other embodiments, theelectrically-conductive material is patterned and then located betweenthe first and second support layers 411, 413. In some embodiments, theelectrically-conductive material may be located between the first andsecond support layers 411, 413 and then patterned. In still furtherembodiments, the method does not comprise patterning theelectrically-conductive material.

When manufacturing the heating device, the electrically-conductivematerial of the layer 412 of electrically-conductive material isstainless steel. However, in other embodiments, theelectrically-conductive material may be a different metal alloy, or ametal, as discussed above.

In this embodiment of the manufacturing method, each of the first andsecond layers 411, 413 of material is a layer of polyimide. However, asdiscussed above, in other embodiments the material of the first supportlayer 411 may be other than polyimide, and/or the material of the secondsupport layer 413 may be other than polyimide. In some embodiments, thefirst and second support layers 411, 413 are layers of respectivedifferent materials.

In this embodiment of the manufacturing method, the smokable material420 comprises tobacco and the method comprises bonding the smokablematerial 420 to the heating element 410. More specifically, and asdiscussed above, the first portion 421 of the smokable material 420 isbonded to the first support layer 411 and the second portion 422 of thesmokable material 420 is bonded to the second support layer 413. Asdiscussed above, in other embodiments, the smokable material 420 may bearranged on the heating element 410 in a number of different ways, suchas only on one side of the heating element 410. However, forconciseness, detailed discussion of the various possible arrangementswill not be provided again. In this embodiment, the bonding comprisesbonding the smokable material 420 by an adhesive to the heating element410 as described in more detail herein. In some other embodiments, theadhesive may be omitted and the method may comprise bonding the smokablematerial 420 to the heating element 410 by some other mechanism, orotherwise arranging the smokable material on the heating element 410.

In this embodiment, after the electrically conductive material islocated between the support layers 411, 413, the heating element 410 isannealed at 200° C. and surface treated using an oxygen plasma, suitablyby corona treatment. The treated heating element is then dipped into anaqueous solution of a polysaccharide (such as hydroxypropyl methylcellulose or an aqueous solution comprising alginic acid or saltthereof) so as to coat some or all of the support layers 411, 413. Theheating element 410 is then removed from the aqueous solution andsubsequently dipped into a smokable material so as to coat some or allof the adhesive. The heating element 410 is then removed from thesmokable material, and the adhesive hardens or is hardened by curing,drying and/or setting. In other embodiments, the separate adhesive andsmokable material layers may be added by sequential spraying steps, orby other methods known to a person skilled in the art; for example, theadhesive may be applied using spray coating, transfer coating, slot dieextruding and the smokable material may be added using spray coating,fluidized bed, electrostatic coating. In these embodiments, layers ofthe adhesive 310, 320 are disposed on the support layers 411, 413.Portions 421, 422 of smokable material 420 are adhered to the supportlayers 411, 413 by the adhesive layers. The portions 421, 422 ofsmokable material 420 are arranged substantially separate from theadhesive layers 310, 320.

The solution concentration of the aqueous solution is selected to have asuitable viscosity, having a low enough viscosity that it can easily beapplied to the heating element, and a high enough viscosity such that itcan be retained on the surface of the heating element before it ishardened. The polysaccharide concentration in an aqueous solution may befrom about a 2% w/w, 4% w/w or 5% w/w solution to about a 7% w/w, 8% w/wor 10% w/w solution (suitably a 2-10% w/w solution, or a 5-7% w/wsolution).

In other embodiments, the smokable material 420 and adhesive may not bein identifiably separate layers. By way of an example, the smokablematerial may be initially dispersed in a polysaccharide solution. Theheating element 410 may then dipped into this dispersion, or thedispersion may be sprayed onto the heating element 410 to from a singlelayer on the surface of the support layers 411, 413, the single layercomprising both the adhesive and the smokable material 420.

In this embodiment, and as indicated in FIG. 12, the cartridge 40comprises two electrically-conductive terminals 47 a, 47 b, which hereinare referred to as a “seventh electrically-conductive terminal” 47 a andan “eighth electrically-conductive terminal” 47 b, respectively. Theheating element 410 is electrically connected across the seventh andeighth electrically-conductive terminals 47 a, 47 b and is heatable bypassing an electric current through the heating element 410 via theseventh and eighth electrically-conductive terminals 47 a, 47 b. Theseventh and eighth electrically-conductive terminals 47 a, 47 b arelocated in respective recesses, but are accessible from the exterior ofthe cartridge 40. In this embodiment, when the cartridge 40 is fullyreceived in the recess 13, the seventh and eighthelectrically-conductive terminals 47 a, 47 b are in surface contact withthe first and second electrically-conductive terminals 17 b, 17 c,respectively. Accordingly, the heating element 410 can be caused to heatby applying electrical power to the first and secondelectrically-conductive terminals 17 b, 17 c.

In some embodiments, the cartridge 40 is able to be received fully inthe recess 13 in only one orientation relative to the first casingportion 10. In this embodiment, this is due to the cartridge 40, andmore specifically the housing 43, having an asymmetric exteriorcross-sectional shape that corresponds to an asymmetric interiorcross-sectional shape of the recess 13. In other embodiments, thecartridge 40 may be able to be received in the recess 13, or able toco-operate with the interface, in only one orientation relative to thefirst casing portion 10 due to the provision of one or more othermechanisms. For example, in some embodiments, the housing 43 of thecartridge 40 may have rotational symmetry and thus have a symmetricexterior cross-sectional shape, and the cartridge 40 may have a keyprojecting from the housing 43 that gives the overall cartridge 40 anasymmetric exterior cross-sectional shape that corresponds to anasymmetric interior cross-sectional shape of the recess 13. Providingthat the cartridge 40 is able to co-operate with the interface in onlyone orientation relative to the first casing portion 10 helps to ensurethat the cartridge 40 is correctly assembled with the rest of theapparatus 1 with the seventh and eighth electrically-conductiveterminals 47 a, 47 b in surface contact with the first and secondelectrically-conductive terminals 17 b, 17 c, respectively. However, insome embodiments, the cartridge may be receivable fully in the recess 13in more than one orientation relative to the first casing portion 10.

As discussed above, in this embodiment the controller 50 is forcontrolling the supply of electrical power to the heating element 410from the electrical power source 24, when the interface 13 isco-operating with the cartridge 40. When the apparatus 1 is fullyassembled with the first connector 15 fully engaged with the secondconnector 25, and with the cartridge 40 fully and correctly received inthe recess 13, actuation of the actuator 18 by a user causes thecontroller 50 to cause an electric current to be applied across theseventh and eighth electrically-conductive terminals 47 a, 47 b, andthus across the heating element 410. Such actuation of the actuator 18may cause completion of an electrical circuit in the controller 50. Asthe electric current is so applied across the heating element 410, theheating element 410 heats up so as to heat the smokable material 420. Inthis embodiment, the electrical resistance of the heating element 410changes as the temperature of the heating element 410 increases. Thecontroller 50 monitors the electrical resistance of the heated heatingelement 410 and then adjusts the magnitude of the electrical currentapplied across the heating element 410 on the basis of the monitoredelectrical resistance as necessary, in order to ensure that thetemperature of the heating element 410 remains within theabove-discussed temperature range of about 180 degrees Celsius to about220 degrees Celsius. Within this temperature range, the smokablematerial 420 is heated sufficiently to volatilize at least one componentof the smokable material 420 without combusting the smokable material420. Accordingly, the controller 50, and the apparatus 1 as a whole, isarranged to heat the smokable material 420 to volatilize the at leastone component of the smokable material 420 without combusting thesmokable material 420. In other embodiments, the temperature range maybe other than this range.

As discussed above, the plate 16 has five holes 16 a-16 e therethrough,and the first to third pins 17 a, 17 b, 17 c are provided in the firstto third 16 a, 16 b, 16 c of these holes. The fourth and fifth holes 16d, 16 e of the five holes 16 a-16 e remain open and fluidly connect therecess 13 with the inlets 60 defined by the cooperation of the first andsecond connectors 15, 25. Moreover, when the cartridge 40 is fullyreceived in the recess 13, the air flow path 45 defined by thecooperation of the first and second housing parts 43 a, 43 b of thecartridge 40 is fluidly connected with the recess 13. Accordingly, andas shown in FIG. 16, in the fully-assembled apparatus 1, there isdefined an overall flow path that extends from the exterior of theapparatus 1, then through any one of the inlets 60 defined by thecooperation of the first and second connectors 15, 25, then througheither one of the fourth and fifth holes 16 d, 16 e in the plate 16,then through the recess 13, then through the air flow path 45 defined bythe cooperation of the first and second housing parts 43 a, 43 b of thecartridge 40, then through the chamber 44 of the cartridge 40, thenthrough any one of the apertures 46 extending through the housing 43 ofthe cartridge 40, and then through the channel 36 of the mouthpiece 30to the exterior of the apparatus 1. The seal 37 of the mouthpiece 30prevents air from bypassing the chamber 44 of the cartridge 40 whentravelling from the recess 13 to the channel 36 of the mouthpiece 30.

An exemplary operation of the apparatus 1 of this embodiment will now bedescribed. A user ensures that the mouthpiece 30 is at a locationrelative to the first casing portion 10 at which the cartridge 40 ismovable through the opening 14. The user then passes the cartridge 40through the opening 14 and into the recess 13 so as to bring the seventhand eighth electrically-conductive terminals 47 a, 47 b of the cartridge40 into surface contact with the first and secondelectrically-conductive terminals 17 b, 17 c, respectively. The userthen moves the mouthpiece 30 relative to the first casing portion 10 toa location at which the mouthpiece 30 covers the opening 14, with theoutlet 35 of the mouthpiece 30 at the exterior of the apparatus 1, andwith the seal 37 contacting and compressing against the cartridge 40 andsurrounding the apertures 46. The mouthpiece 30 is retained at thislocation through engagement of the connector 33 of the mouthpiece 30with the second connector 19 of the first casing portion 10.

Before, during or after such movements of the cartridge 40 andmouthpiece 30 relative to the first casing portion 10, the user alsoensures that the first connector 15 of the first casing portion 10 isfully engaged with a second connector 25 of the second casing portion20. As discussed above, when the first and second connectors 15, 25 arefully engaged, the third electrically-conductive terminal 17 a is insurface contact with the fourth electrically-conductive terminal 283 a,and the fifth electrically-conductive terminal 15 a is in surfacecontact with the sixth electrically-conductive terminal 25 a.

When the actuator 18 is subsequently actuated by actuated by the user,the controller 50 is operated to cause an electric current to be appliedacross the seventh and eighth electrically-conductive terminals 47 a, 47b and thus across the heating element 410. This application of theelectric current causes the heating element 410 to heat up so as to heatthe smokable material 420 to volatilize at least one component of thesmokable material 420 without combusting the smokable material 420, asdiscussed above. Typically, this volatilization causes the formation ofan aerosol in the chamber 44 of the cartridge 40. The user inhales theaerosol by drawing on the outlet 35 of the mouthpiece 30. This causesthe aerosol to be drawn from the chamber 44 of the cartridge 40 and intothe user's mouth via the apertures 46 of the cartridge 40 and via thechannel 36 of the mouthpiece 30. This drawing of the aerosol from thechamber 44 of the cartridge 40 causes a reduction in pressure in thechamber 44. This reduction in pressure causes air to be drawn into thechamber 44 via the annular gap 62, the inlets 60 defined between thefirst and second connectors 15, 25, the fourth and/or fifth holes 16 d,16 e in the plate 16, the recess 13, and the air flow path 45 defined bythe cooperation of the first and second housing parts 43 a, 43 b of thecartridge 40, in turn. The user is able to carry out subsequent suchinhalations to inhale subsequent volumes of the aerosol.

When the smokable material 420 has been spent, or substantially all ofthe smokable material 420 has been spent, the user may move themouthpiece 30 relative to the first casing portion 10 to a location atwhich the cartridge 40 is movable through the opening 14. The user maythen remove the cartridge 40 from the recess 13 via the opening 14. Theuser can subsequently insert another, unspent cartridge 40 into therecess 13 and repeat the above process. The heating element 410 maybecome dirtied with the volatilized material or the spent smokablematerial 420 in use. By locating the heating element 410 in thecartridge 40, rather than in the first casing portion 10, each time anew, unspent cartridge 40 is used, the user is provided with a freshheating element 410. Accordingly, the user does not need to be concernedwith cleaning the heating element 410.

In some embodiments, the apparatus 1 is provided fully assembled. In thefully assembled state, the first connector 15 of the first casingportion 10 is engaged with the second connector 25 of the second casingportion 20, and the connector 33 of the mouthpiece is engaged with thesecond connector 19 of the first casing portion 10. In some suchembodiments, the cartridge 40 is located in the recess 13. In other suchembodiments, no cartridge 40 is in the recess 13. In other embodiments,the apparatus 1 may be in kit form, with the first connector 15 of thefirst casing portion 10 disengaged from, but engageable with, the secondconnector 25 of the second casing portion 20 and/or with the connector33 of the mouthpiece disengaged from, but engageable with, the secondconnector 19 of the first casing portion 10. In some such kit-formapparatuses, the cartridge 40 may be located in the recess 13. In othersuch kit-form apparatuses, one or more examples of the cartridge 40 maybe provided as part of the apparatus but outside of the recess 13.

In this embodiment, the apparatus 1 has only one heating element. Inother embodiments, the apparatus 1 may have more than one heatingelement. In this embodiment, the cartridge 40 is intended to be used andthen replaced by an alternative cartridge 40, as discussed above.However, in other embodiments, the cartridge 40 may not be replaceableand the apparatus 1 may be for only single use. In some embodiments, theapparatus 1 may not include a cartridge 40. In some embodiments, theheating element 410, or the heating device 400, may be integral with thefirst casing portion 10 and may be irremovable from the first casingportion 10. In some embodiments, the electrical power source 24 may beintegral with the second casing portion 20 and may be irremovable fromthe second casing portion 20. In some embodiments, the first casingportion 10 may be integral or unitary with the second casing portion 20,or may be permanently fixed to the second casing portion 20. Therefore,in some embodiments, the casing of the apparatus 1 may be a one-piececasing, and may not have the first and second connectors 15, 25discussed above. In some embodiments, the positive and negativeterminals 24 a, 24 b of the electrical power source 24 may bepermanently electrically connected to the controller 50. In someembodiments, the mouthpiece 30 may be immovable relative to the firstcasing portion 10. In some embodiments, the mouthpiece 30 may beintegral or unitary with the first casing portion 10.

In each of the embodiments discussed above, the smokable material 420 isarranged on a support that is a heating element 410. However, in someembodiments, the support may be other than a heating element 410. Insome embodiments in which the support is other than a heating element410, the support may have any of the features of the heating element 410discussed herein. In some embodiments in which the support is other thana heating element 410, the smokable material 420 may have any of thefeatures of the smokable material 420 discussed herein, and so may bearranged on the support in any of the manners discussed herein for thearrangement of the smokable material 420 on the heating element 410. Insome embodiments in which the support is other than a heating element410, the smokable material 420 and the support may be comprised in adevice, rather than a heating device as such.

In order to address various issues and advance the art, the entirety ofthis disclosure shows by way of illustration and example variousembodiments in which the claimed invention may be practiced and whichprovide for a superior apparatus for heating smokable material tovolatilize at least one component of the smokable material. Theadvantages and features of the disclosure are of a representative sampleof embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. They arepresented only to assist in understanding and teach the claimed andotherwise disclosed features. It is to be understood that advantages,embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures and/or otheraspects of the disclosure are not to be considered limitations on thedisclosure as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to theclaims, and that other embodiments may be utilized and modifications maybe made without departing from the scope and/or spirit of thedisclosure. Various embodiments may suitably comprise, consist of, orconsist in essence of, various combinations of the disclosed elements,components, features, parts, steps, means, etc. The disclosure mayinclude other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimedin future.

1. A device for use with apparatus for heating smokable material tovolatilise at least one component of the smokable material, the devicecomprising: a support; and smokable material arranged on the support,wherein a first portion of the smokable material is arranged on a firstportion of the support and has a form so as to be heatable more quicklythan a second portion of the smokable material arranged on a secondportion of the support.
 2. A device according to claim 1, wherein thefirst portion of the smokable material comprises particles of thesmokable material having a first mean particle size, and the secondportion of the smokable material comprises particles of the smokablematerial having a second mean particle size that is greater than thefirst mean particle size.
 3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2,wherein the first portion of the smokable material is arranged on thesupport with a first thickness and the second portion of the smokablematerial is arranged on the support with a second thickness that isgreater than the first thickness.
 4. A device for use with apparatus forheating smokable material to volatilise at least one component of thesmokable material, the device comprising: a support; and smokablematerial arranged on the support, wherein a first portion of thesmokable material is arranged on a first portion of the support with afirst thickness and a second portion of the smokable material isarranged on a second portion of the support with a second thickness, andwherein the second thickness is greater than the first thickness.
 5. Adevice for use with apparatus for heating smokable material tovolatilise at least one component of the smokable material, the devicecomprising: a support; and smokable material arranged on the support,wherein a first portion of the smokable material is arranged on a firstportion of the support and comprises particles of the smokable materialhaving a first mean particle size, and a second portion of the smokablematerial is arranged on a second portion of the support and comprisesparticles of the smokable material having a second mean particle size,and wherein the second mean particle size is greater than the first meanparticle size.
 6. A device according to any one of the preceding claims,wherein the first and second portions of the support are first andsecond portions of one side of the support.
 7. A device according toclaim 6, wherein the smokable material is arranged on the side of thesupport with a thickness that tapers from the first portion of thesmokable material to the second portion of the smokable material.
 8. Adevice according to claim 7, wherein the smokable material is arrangedon the side of the support with a thickness that tapers linearly fromthe first portion of the smokable material to the second portion of thesmokable material.
 9. A device according to claim 6, wherein thesmokable material is arranged on the side of the support with athickness that increases in a stepwise manner from the first portion ofthe smokable material to the second portion of the smokable material.10. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the firstand second portions of the support are first and second sides of thesupport, respectively.
 11. A device according to any one of thepreceding claims, wherein the first and second portions of the smokablematerial are at respective opposite ends of the smokable material.
 12. Adevice according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein thesmokable material is bonded to the support.
 13. A device according toclaim 12, wherein the smokable material is bonded by an adhesive to thesupport.
 14. A device according to any one of the preceding claims,wherein the support is planar.
 15. A device according to any one ofclaims 1 to 13, wherein the support is non-planar.
 16. A deviceaccording to claim 15, wherein the support is corrugated or folded. 17.A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein thesupport is a heating element for heating the smokable material.
 18. Adevice according to claim 17, wherein the heating element is heatable bypassing an electric current through the heating element.
 19. A deviceaccording to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the smokablematerial comprises tobacco.
 20. A device according to any one of thepreceding claims, wherein the smokable material is in solid form.
 21. Adevice according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein thesmokable material comprises particles of the smokable material.
 22. Acartridge for use with apparatus for heating smokable material tovolatilise at least one component of the smokable material, thecartridge comprising a device according to any one of the precedingclaims.
 23. A cartridge according to claim 22, comprising a housingdefining a chamber, wherein the device is located within the chamber.24. A cartridge according to claim 22 or claim 23, comprising twoelectrically-conductive terminals that are accessible from an exteriorof the cartridge, wherein the support is a heating element for heatingthe smokable material, and the heating element is electrically connectedacross the electrically-conductive terminals.
 25. Apparatus for heatingsmokable material to volatilise at least one component of the smokablematerial, the apparatus comprising a device according to any one ofclaims 1 to 21; or comprising a cartridge according to any one of claims22 to 24 and an assembly, wherein the assembly has an interface and thecartridge is for co-operating with the interface of the assembly. 26.Apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the apparatus is arranged toheat the smokable material to volatilise the at least one component ofthe smokable material without combusting the smokable material. 27.Apparatus according to claim 25 or claim 26, comprising a heatingelement for heating the smokable material, wherein the assemblycomprises a controller for controlling the supply of electrical power tothe heating element from an electrical power source.
 28. Apparatusaccording to any one of claims 25 to 27, comprising a heating elementfor heating the smokable material, wherein the assembly comprises acontroller arranged to control heating of the heating element so as tocause heating of the smokable material to volatilise the at least onecomponent of the smokable material without combusting the smokablematerial when the cartridge is co-operating with the interface of theassembly.
 29. Apparatus according to claim 27 or claim 28, wherein theheating element of the apparatus is the support.